Is it time to dress like Naomi Campbell?

Hygiene protocol we can borrow from the Patron Saint of Germaphobes: Naomi Elaine Campbell

Naomi's runway look is different from her airport look. Photo: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

What a difference a few months make. The last time you took a flight, they would have called you a freakazoid if you started wiping down your seat, belt, tray and the AC vent. If you wore a mask, they’d think you have TB or worse. And if you wore latex gloves, you’d probably get the row to yourself (why didn’t we think of this before!). But here we are in May, when this is not just normal, it’s almost mandatory.

Someone who has been ahead of the curve is supermodel Naomi Campbell, who has been disinfecting surfaces for the last 17 years! Eventually, in public interest, Naomi shared a video where she kindly shared her in-flight routine so the rest of us could stay safe. When this was shot in 2019, this was probably OTT. Today, it seems relatable.

The video, which has clocked over 2 million views, starts with very relatable behaviour, where Naomi picks up some Twix and Haribos before hopping on to a flight. So far so good. But once she is on the plane is when Naomi unrolls her sanitisation protocol. She digs through her LV tote (which is mostly hydration packs of various kinds) to look for gloves that are “the best part of the whole thing”. Gloves on, she pulls out the wet wipes and starts giving everything a proper wipe down. And then, she wipes and wipes and wipes. And wipes some more.

She wipes the screen,She wipes it clean.She wipes the seat,And everything in between.The tray, the belt, the TV remote,Even the AC vents—please to note.“Wipe everything you touch” is her advice,(Basically, wipe things clean, or you’ll pay the price.)

We’re not done yet.

After this, Naomi unfurls her own seat cover, which she ensures is handwashed at the hotel later. First the cover goes on the seat, then Naomi goes on the cover and then finally, a mask goes on to Naomi. The last bit is her “protection from people’s coughing and sneezing”. All done, she finally settles down to enjoy her flight.

And once again, Naomi has very kindly put this all out on video. Do note that her hazmat suit is available on Amazon (even in India, we checked). It may seem excessive, but maybe the best way to flatten the curve is to stay ahead of it.